Switch operating mechanism



Nov. 29, 1966 J. A. TURGEON 3,288,955

SWITCH OPERATING MECHANISM Filed March 19, 1965 7 Sheets-Sheet 1 /5 l n4 Z-?'5= Z 45/02 iI 42 y m Nov. 29, 1966 J. A. TURGEON 3,288,955

SWITCH OPERATING MECHANISM Filed March 19, 1965 7 Sheets-Sheet 2 INVENTOR. MUSE/99H rx/flgfm/ Nov. 29, 1966 a J. A. TURGEON 3,288,955

SWITCH OPERATING MECHANI SM Filed March 19, 1965 '7 Sheets-Sheet 3 1966 J. A. TURGEON 3,288,955

SWITCH OPERATING MECHANISM Filed March 19, 1965 7 Sheets-Sheet 4 Nov. 29, 1966 J. A. TURGEON 3,288,955

SWITCH OPERATING MECHANISM Filed March 19, 1965 7 Sheets-Sheet 5 Nov. 29, 1966 J. A. TURGEON 3,233,955

SWITCH OPERATING MECHANISM Filed March 19, 1965 7 Spams-Sheet 6 JIE-5 Nov. 29, 1966 J. A. TURGEON 3,

SWITCH OPERATING MECHANISM Filed March 19, 1965 7 Sheets-Sheet 7 Id m4 United States Patent 3,288,955 SWITCH OPERATING MECHANISM Joseph A. Turgeon, Toronto, Ontario, Canada, assignor to I-T-E Circuit Breaker (Canada) Limited, Port Credit, Ontario, Canada, a company of Canada Filed Mar. 19, 1965. Ser. No. 441,215 18 Claims. (Cl. 200-48) This invention relates to electrical switching devices in general, and more particularly to an improved operating mechanism for moving the elongated contact blade of a grounding switch between its open and closed positions along a path maintaining full gap clearance to the nearest energized component.

In electrical transmission systems constructed to carry considerable power, it is the common practice to provide a disconnect switch for circuit isolation in the event of a previous fault condition. The disconnect switch, which may be of the general type shOWn in United States Patent 2,673,902 entitled, Disconnect Switch issued March 30, 1954 to G. B. Herberlein, is system coordinated to open subsequent to the fault responsive interruption of its associated portion of the line. It is possible, however, that under transient conditions of corona discharge, lightening, etc., portions of the isolated circuit may become energized, making it hazardous for personnel to work on the line. Accordingly, in systems having high power capabilities, as, for example, extra high voltage (EHV) systems (which may be typically operative at 200-700 kv. and 1,500-3,000 ampheres), it is the general practice to also include a grounding switch in conjunction with such disconnect switch. The grounded switch operates subsequent to the operation of the disconnect switch and serves to connect the associated portion of the line to ground, thereby making it safe for personnel to work on the isolated portion of the line.

In accordance with the present standards, adapted by the National Electrical Manufacturers Association (NEMA), it is required that the open-gap clearance between the end of the elongated contact blade of the grounding switch and the nearest energized member during any position of the blade travel shall be such as to withstand a 60-cycle test voltage equal to three times the line to ground operating voltage. For EHV systems it is particularly important to maintain full gap clearance because of corona discharge and the peculiarities of some waveshapes to cause unpredictable flashover corresponding to certain electrostatic field conditions.

The instant invention is directed to providing an improved operating mechanism for movement of the grounding switch contact blade between its switch close and switch open positions such that the required gap clearance will always be maintained.

In defining a path of movement for the grounding switch contact blade satisfying the gap clearance requirement, the blade storage requirements must also be consideerd. That is, since the blade is stored in its open posiiton a path of movement between the open and closed switch positions should preferably be provided which does not require a blade open position unduly interferring with other portions of the system. In previous grounding switches of a substantially smaller physical size than that contemplated by the instant invention, it had been the general practice to have the grounding blade extend outward from the plane of operation of the disconnect switchsuch prior art arrangements are typically shown in US. Patent Nos. 2,420,485, entitled, Electrical Switch With Connected Energy Dissipating Means, issued May 13, 1947 to S. H. Kast, and US. Patent 3,089,006 entitled Automatic High Speed Grounding Switch, issued May 7, 1963 in the name of K. A. Thallner. If an at- Patented Nov. 29, 1966 tempt were made to store the grounding switch blade of an EHV switch assembly or other large size unit in such an outwardly extending direction, serious mechanical and electrical inconveniences would result. This would include obstruction of associate dequipment placement and movement as W611 as reducing the dielectric strength of adjacent lines. Hence it would be quite advantageous for the grounding switch blade to be stored in the same plane as the disconnect switch. If, however, the movement of the grounding switch blade between its open and closed positions is limited to this plane, it will be difficult or impossible to maintain the required NEMA gap clearance.

The instant invention solves these problems in a unique and simplified manner by providing an improved operating mechanism for the grounding switch contact blade which permits storage in the disconnect switch plane but provides movement of the blade out of such plane while going between its open and closed positions. Specifically, the path of movement is a compound angular path which includes horizontal movement. of the contact blade out of the plane of the disconnect switch and vertical movement of the contact blade into its cooperating jaw. Advantageously, the contact blade has a beaver tail contact and there is a final rotational movement of the contact blade about its own axis subsequent to positioning in the cooperating jaw to provide firm electrical engagement between the beaver-tail end and the resilient jaw members.

In accordance with the illustrated embodiment of the instant invention, there is provided a blade operating mechanism which includes the novel inter-engagement of a gear drive and a motion resolving cam surface. The cam surface cooperatively governs the transmission of motion from the gear drive to the pivoted end of the grounding switch contact blade so as to resolve the blade movement into angular components about orthogonally related axes. One of such movements is in a first angular direction about a generally vertically extending axis, and the other of such movements is in a second angular direction about a generally horizontally extending axis. The surface of the cam member is of a predetermined configuration, such that the motion of the contact blade is sequentially resolved into components which will define a path of travel always maintaining the required gap clearance.

It has been determined that a particular advantageous solution is afforded by establishing a path of travel of the blade contact end defined by the intersection of two spheres. One of these spheres is centered at the pivot end of the contact blade and has a radius equal to the length of the blade, and the other sphere is centered at the energized current carrying member from which the gap clearance must be maintained and has a radius equal to the required gap clearance. This permits the maximum unobstructed volume for the erection of secondary equipment while providing a path of contact blade movement meeting the primarily electrical requirements.

It is therefore seen that a primary object of our invention is to provide 'a novel mechanism for moving the elongated contact blade of an electrical switch between its open and closed positions.

A further object of the instant invention is to provide a contact blade operating mechanism which provides a compound angular movement about at least two axes.

Another object of the instant invention is to provide a contact blade operating mechanism which provides both horizontal movement out of the storage position and vertical movement towards its cooperating jaw contact.

An additional object of this invention is to provide a combined assembly of a disconnect switch and grounding switch which permits storage of the grounding switch contact blade in the operating plane of the disconnect switch but provides movement of the grounding switch blade out of such a parallel plane while going between its switch open and switch closed positions.

Still a further object of the instant invention is to provide the combination of a grounding switch and disconnect switch wherein the grounding switch contact blade is stored parallel to disconnect switch and movement of the grounding switch contact blade between its open and closed positions includes movement out of such storage plane.

Still another object of the instant invention is to provide such a combination of a grounding and disconnect switch wherein the grounding switch blade movement is resolved into components about orthogonally related axes.

Still an additional object of the instant invention is to obtain such resolving of the blade movement by the engagement of a gear drive member and a camming surface at the pivotal end of the blade, with the camrning surface having a predetermined configuration in accordance with the sequential path of movement to be transmitted to the contact blade.

These as well as other objects of the instant invention will become apparent upon the following description when taken in conjunction with the drawings in which:

FIGURE 1 is a front elevation view of the overall switch assembly including a disconnect switch and the grounding switch of the instant invention.

FIGURE 1A is a plan view of the switch assembly and 1B of grounding switch portion thereof, and showing the movement of the contact blade in dotted lines.

FIGURE 2 is a simplified geometrical diagram, shown in a three coordinate system, to indicate the path of travel of the grounding switch contact blade between its open and closed positions.

FIGURE 3 is a front elevation view, partially cut away, of the blade operating means for imparting the novel movement of the inst-ant invention.

FIGURE 4 is a side elevational view, partially cut away, of the blade operating means shown in FIGURE 3.

FIGURE 5 is a perspective view along line 55 of FIGURE 4 and looking in direction of the arrow, showing the inter-engagement of the gear drive and cam guide member for sequentially resolving the motion of the contact blade about orthogonally related axes.

FIGURE 6 is a perspective view of the cam guide member.

FIGURES 7 and 8 are plan and front elevation views respectively of the cam member shown in FIGURE 6.

FIGURE 9 is a front elevation view of the blade operating input drive shaft, and drive gear member secured thereto.

FIGURE 10 is a front elevation view of the blade operating drive shaft member together with its driven gear.

FIGURE 11 is a cross-sectional view along the line 1111 of FIGURE 10, looking in the direction of the arrows showing details of the driven gear member.

FIGURE 12 is a front elevation view of the contact blade member in its closed position shown in cooperative engagement with its stationary jaw contact.

FIGURE 13 is a plan view of FIG. 12, and specifically showing the manner in which the beaver-tail contact blade end engages the jaws of the cooperating contact.

FIGURE 14 is a front elevation view of the beavertail contact blade entered into its cooperating jaw contact, but shown prior to the spreading apart of the jaw contact.

Referring initially to FIG. 1, a switch assembly is shown which comprises the combination of a disconnect isolating switch generally shown as 30 and grounding switch generally shown as 50. The switch assembly extends upward from the ground surface 22 as by support structures 24, 26, respectively. A cross support member 28 is connected between the upper ends 25, 27 of the support structures 24, 26. Stationary insulator support stacks 32, 34 extend upwardly from the support structures 24, 26, respectively, with there also being a rotating insulator support stack 36 extending upward adjacent insulator support stack 32. Disconnect switch 30, which may be of the general type shown in aforementioned U.S. Patent 2,673,902, is designed to operate subsequent to the interruption of load current appearing at bus 38. Switch 30 includes an elongated contact bladeil which is typically mounted at one end to a rotatable hinge support 42; at the upper end of insulator support stacks 32, 36. The opposite, or contact end, 44 of the disconnect switch blade 40 engages a cooperating stationary contact jaw 45 at the upper end of insulator stack 34, when in the closed position as shown in the solid lines of FIG. 1. Opening of the disconnect to move its elongated contact blade 40 to the position shown dotted as 40' is provided by the rotation of a crank wheel 46, either manually or a motor driven assembly shown generally as 48. This, in turn, rotates transmission shaft 33 which rotate insulator stack 36 via a gear transmission coupling assembly generally shown as 35. The rotation of insulator stack 36 is transmitted upward to hinge contact 42 of the disconnect switch to move it to its opened position of 40', as for example in the manner shown in U.S. Patent 3,143,608, entitled Operating Mechanism For Disconnect Switch, issued August 4, 1964 to the inventor of the instant invention and assigned to the same assignee.

Cooperating grounding switch 50 includes an elongated blade 52 having a beaver-tail contact blade 54 at its free end, and pivotally mounted at its other end to the upper end 27 of support structure 26 as generally shown by the numeral 101i. The cooperating jaw contact 102 for engagement with beave-ntail end 54 of the grounding switch is located at the upper end of insulator stack 34. As is well known in the art, increased isolation protection is provided subsequent to the opening of disconnect switch 30 by moving the elongated contact arm 52 of the grounding switch 59 into the dotted position shown as 52', such that it will be engagement with its cooperating jaw contact 102. Movement of the grounding switch contact blade 50 between its switch open position shown as 52 and its switch closed position shown as 52' is pro-v vided by turning crank wheel 56 which may either be manually activated or driven by a conventional motor drive 57 connected thereto. The turning of crank wheel 56 rotates shaft 58 to provide an input rotational movement to the blade operating means, generally designated as 110 and which is shown in detail in FIGURES 3-11 and will be subsequently described.

In the course of moving elongated switch blade contact 52 between its positions, it is desirable, and in fact it is a specific requirement, that a minimum gap distance be maintained between the contact end 54 of the blade and the nearest energized component of the switch assembly. This gap distance has in the past oftentimes been maintained by storing the contact blade 52 perpendicularly outward at 100 from the plane'of FIG. 1 and moving the blade into its cooperating contact jaw. That is, the grounding switch which is pivotally mounted at would extend forwardly of this point and directly out of the plane of the paper. While this may be tolerated for smaller switching assemblies as shown in aforementioned U.S. Patents 2,420,485 and 3,089,006, it would be extremely disadvantageous in conjunction with switch assemblies of the type contemplated by the instant invention, and designed for EHV systems. The storage of blade 50 in such an outward position would interfere both mechanically and electrically with the placement and movement of adjacent equipment. Inasmuch as the grounding switch 50 is normally in the stored position shown as 52, it is desirable that such a stored position be that which does not interfere with the system operation nor with the movement of operating personnel and equipment.

It is, therefore, quite desirable that the elongated blade 52 of the grounding switch be stored in the same plane as the support structures 24, 26, the insulating stacks 32-36 and the disconnect switch 30. When so stored in this position, movement of the blade directly to the closed position shown as 52 along a path confined to this plane would not provide the necessary minimum gap clearance during the entire travel of the contact blade end 54. The instant invention solves this by providing a unique blade operating means 110 which not only provides movement of the blade contact end 54 upward into engagement with its cooperating jaw contact 102, but provides movement of the blade horizontally out of the storage plane such that the combined movement defines a predetermined path of travel shown dotted by 200 in FIGS. 1A, 1B, which maintains the desired minimum gap clearance. An optimum path will be translated where the movement of the blade contact end 54 defines the intersection of two spheres. One of the spheres is centered at 100 wherein the grounding switch blade contact pivots and has a radius equal to the length of contact blade 52. The other sphere is centered at the energized current carrying member for which the open gap clearance must be maintained and has a radius equal to such open gap clearance. The movement of the switch blade in accordance with the instant invention is a compound angular movement which includes both movement in a first direction about the vertically extending axis Y and in a second direction about the horizontally extending axis X.

To best portray the motion translated by the end 54 of the elongated contact blade 52, reference is now made to geometric schematic FIG. 2 which shows this motion Within a three coordinate system. Plane YZ is the plane of the disconnect switch shown in FIG. 1. The blade 52 of the grounding switch is normally stored in a horizontal position within this plane with its end 54 being located at point A. The end point of the switch contact blade movement is designated as F, and is also in the YZ plane. It is necessary in order to maintain the minimum gap clearance as discussed above that the movement between these two points include a movement out of YZ plane. In accordance with the particular embodiment shown, this movement traverses the path 200 successively shown by the points B, C, D, E and F. It should be understood, however, that this particular path is only one of the various paths that are contemplated within the spirit and scope of the instant invention and is not intended as a limitation thereof.

Considering the switch closing sequence, initially going from point A through E, the movement of the contact blade 52 is confined to rotation about the X axis, with such movement being within the YZ plane. In then going from point B to C, the rotation is about the Y axis, and is in a generally horizontally forward direction out of the YZ plane. The next movement between points C and D is a compound angular movement about both the X and the Y axes such that the blade ends up within the XY plane and angularly separated from the Y axis by an amount shown as theta. The next portion of movement from points D through E closes up the angle theta with movement of the contact blade being confined to the XY plane. At point D, the contact end 54 of the contact blade 52 will have entered the cooperating jaws 102 and will be in the position as shown in FIG. 14. In accordance with well known practice, the contact end 54 of the elongated blade 52 is of a beaver-tail configuration. The spacing between the contact jaw members 104, 106 designed to receive the beaver-tail contact is selected to permit the easy entry of the beaver-tail blade 54. Rotation of the beaver-tail end 54 will force apart the jaw contacts 104, 106 to define the closed position as shown in FIG. 13. Thus the movement from point E through point F as shown in FIG. 2 will be a rotational movement about the Y axis to provide firm contact engagement between the end 54 of the grounding switch contact blade and its cooperating jaw contact 102.

Reference is now made to FIGS. 3-11 for the details of contact blade operating means 110. Referring initially to FIGS. 3 and 4, input shaft 58 of the crank operating mechanism enters lower housing 112 via bearing assembly 114, rotating pinion 116. Pinion 116 is in meshed engagement with reduction gear 118, which in turn is appropriately keyed to shaft 120 as by key 122 and held by capscrew 124. Shaft 120 is located within stationary tubular member 126 and is mounted for relative rotation with respect thereto as by lower and upper bearing rings 128, 130, respectively. Tubular member 126 is appropriately secured to lower housing member 112, as by welds 132. The rotatable output shaft 120 upwardly extends into upper housing 134. Upper housing 134 is secured by welds 136 at its lower end to an outermost tubular member 138, circumferentially greater than tubular member 126. Tubular member 138 as well as housing memher 134 can rotate about vertical axis Y, with such rotation being permitted with respect to adjacent stationary tubular member 126 by virtue of the interposition of upper and lower bearing rings 140, 142, respectively.

Drive shaft 120 has a bevel gear 142 keyed to the upper end thereof, as shown in greater detail in FIG. 9. A cooperating driven gear 144 is mounted to shaft 146 with said shaft being located within aligned cooperating apertures 148, 150 of the upper housing 134. The rotation of shaft ends 147, 149 is facilitated by bearing rings 152, 154, respectively, with sealing rings 158, 160 also being provided where the shaft ends emerge from the housing 134.

The driven gear 144 includes a protruding pin which traverses track 162 of a cam member 160. The details of shaft 146 and driven gear 144 are best shown in FIGS. 10 and 11, with the detail of the cam member being shown in FIGS. 6-8. Brackets 170, 172 are secured to the outwardly extending ends of shaft 146, which brackets are connected to the pivot end of the grounding switch contact blade 52, as best shown in FIG. 12. It should thus be recognized at this point that the rotation of shaft 146 about the X axis provides the desired movement of the contact blade about that axis as shown in geometrical schematic FIG. 2. Similarly rotation of the upper housing 134 about the Y axis will provide rotation of contact blade 52 about that axis.

The sequential rotation of the contact blade operating mechanism about the orthogonally related X and Y axis is determined by the path traversed by cam follower pin 155 within the cam track 162. Specifically, it is noted that the track 162 is a three-dimensional path. When pin 155 traverses a path completely in the horizontal plane, the rotation will be limited to the Y axis. When the translation of pin 155 includes a vertical component, such vertical component will provide movement about the X axis.

Cam member 160 is secured to stationary shaft 126 in an appropriate manner such as 120 displaced screws 166 extending through traverse apertures 168. Angular groove 167 is provided within cam hub 169 to receive an O-ring 171 between stationary cam member 160 and the rotatable tubular member 138.

Referring now specifically to FIG. 7 in conjunction with the path movement shown in FIG. 2, the points 162-A through 162-F correspond to the points of the contact blade path A-F of FIG. 2. From point 162-A to 162B, pin 155 travels a short downward direction for approximately 3 of movement. This downward movement of pin 155 corresponds to upward movement of the contact blade 52 about axis X. For approximately the next 12, the movement of pin 155 within cam track 162 to the point 162-C is confined to a horizontal plane, thereby providing horizontal movement of the contact blade about the Y axis out of the YZ storage plane. For approximately the next 120 of cam track travel, between points 162-C and 162-D, the pin 155 traverses a combined horizontal and vertical movement such that there is a compound angular movement of the switch blade 52 about both the X and Y axis. During the next approximately 45 of movement, between points 162-D and 162-E, the translation of cam follower pin 155 in cam track 162 is limited to the horizontal direction thereby providing movement of the blade contact 52 about the axis of shaft 146 into engagement with its operating jaw contact 102. The switch contact blade will then be in the position shown in FIG. 14. For the remainder of the path, approximately 45 between points 162-E and 162F, the cam follower pin 155 is vertically displaced to rotate the contact blade 52 about the Y axis, with such rotation. corresponding to the rotation of the blade about its own longitudinal axis. Such rotation will bring about spread apart engagement of the beaver-tail contact blade 54 and resilient jaws 104, 106 of the switch contact assembly 102 so as to provide firm electrical and mechanical engagement therebetween.

It should naturally be understood that in moving the switch contact blade from its closed position as shown by the dotted line 52' to the storage or open position as shown by 52, the path traversed is the opposite of that described above.

In order to reduce the force requirements for operation of the contact blade between its open and closed position, a counter balance assembly 180 is provided, having counter balanced spring members 182, 184, respectively. Counter balance assembly 180 has a connecting crank 186, which, in turn, is pivoted at 188 to a connecting crank 190 of the blade operating mechanism. Connecting crank 196 is fixedly secured, as by welds 192, to the shaft 146.

It is, therefore, seen that the instant invention provides a novel operating mechanism for the elongated contact blade of an electrical switch, which will provide a compound angular movement of the switch about at least two axes. Such compound angular movement of the switch is shown governed by a three dimensional cam surface in which a portion of the gearing drive assembly rides. The path of the cam surface serves to sequentially resolve the switch blade motion into its respective angular components.

Although a preferred embodiment of the novel invention has been described, it should naturally be understood that many variations and modifications will now become obvious to those skilled in the art, and it is preferred, therefore, that the invention be limited not to the specific disclosure herein, but only by the appended claims.

I claim:

1. In an electrical switch, an elongated contact blade pivotally supported at one end for compound angular movement in at least two directions to switch-closing and switch-opening positions respectively; contact means at the opposite end of said contact blade; a jaw contact positioned for cooperative engagement with said contact means when said contact blade is in said switch-closed position; said contact blade contained within a substantially vertically extending plane in said open position, with the longitudinal axis of said contact blade horizontally extending in said vertical plane, said jaw contact vertically displaced from said one end of said contact blade, said elongated blade substantially contained within said vertical plane in said closed position, with the longitudinal axis of said contact blade vertically extending in said vertical plane, blade operating means operatively connected to said one end of said elongated contact blade for moving said contact blade in a predetermined path between said open and closed positions, said blade operating means including means for moving said contact blade about a vertically extending axis to define movement in a first angular direction and for moving said contact blade about a horizontal axis to define movement in a second angular direction.

2. In an electrical switch, an elongated contact blade pivotally supported at one end for compound angular movement in at least two directions to switchclosing and switch-opening positions respectively, contact means at the opposite end of said contact blade, a jaw contact positioned for cooperative engagement with said contact means when said contact blade is in said switch-closed position, said contact blade contained within a substantially vertically extending plane in said open position, with the longitudinal axis of said contact blade horizontally extending in said vertical plane, said jaw contact vertically displaced from said one end of said contact blade, said contact blade substantially contained within said vertical plane in said closed position, with the longitudinal axis of said contact blade vertically extending in said vertical plane, blade operating means operatively connected to said one end of said contact blade for moving said contact blade in a predetermined path between said open and closed positions, said blade opera-ting means including means for moving said contact blade about a vertically extending axis to define movement in a first angular direction and 'for moving said contact blade about a horizontal axis to define movement in a second angular direction, said blade operating means including motion coordinating means for coordinating the movement of said contact blade opposite end horizontally out of said vertical plane, and vertically into engagement with said jaw contact, said motion coordinat ing means constructed to sequentially control the movement of said blade other end, such that in the closing movement thereof said blade is first moved into engagement with its coordinating jaw contact and is then rotated about its longitudinal axis.

3. In an electrical switch as set forth in claim 2, said contact means including a beaver tail contact having a first dimension along a first direction thereof, and a sec ond dimension along a second direction thereof; said second dimension greater than .said first dimension; said jaw contact resiliently formed and having an opening, when in the relaxed condition, intermediate said first and second dimensions, said beaver .tail contact entering said jaw opening along said first direction, with the subsequent rotation of said contact blade turning said beaver tail such that said jaw opening is -forced open to accommodate said second dimension, whereby firm electrical engagement is maintained between said contact blade and said jaw contact.

4. In an electrical switch, an elongated contact blade pivotally supported at one end for compound angular movement in at least two directions to switch-closing and switch-opening positions respectively, contact means at the opposite end of said contact blade, a jaw contact positioned for cooperative engagement with said contact means when said contact blade is in said switch-closed position, said contact blade contained within a substantially vertically extending plane in said open position, with the longitudinal axis of said contact blade horizontally extending in said vertical plane, said jaw contact vertically displaced from said one end of said contact blade, said contact blade substantially contained within said vertical plane in said closed position, with the longitudinal axis of said contact blade vertically extending in said vertical plane, blade operating means operatively connected to said one end of said contact blade for moving said contact blade in a predetermined path between said open and closed positions, said blade operating means including means for moving said contact blade about a vertically extending axis to define movement in a first angmlar direction and for moving said contact blade about a horizontal axis to define movement in a second angular direction, said blade operating means including gearing means for transmitting motive force to said contact blade, said blade operating means including motion coordinating means for coordinating the movement of said contact blade opposite end horizontally out of said vertical plane, and vertically into engagement with said jaw contact motion coordinating means including ca-m means, in engagement with said gearing means, said 9. cam means having a predetermined configuration for resolving the motive force of said gearing means into first and second components providing the movement of said contact blade in said first and second angular directions respectively.

5. In an electrical switch as set forth in claim 4, said cam means including a cam surface in engagement with a cam follower means of said gearing means, said cam follower means located at a first end of said cam surface corresponding to said contact blade being in its said open position, and said cam follower means located at a second end of said cam surface corresponding to said contact blade being in its second closed position, the cam surface configuration intermediate said first and second ends being of said predetermined cam means configuration for guiding said cam follower means, and resolving the motive movement of said gearing means into said first and second components in a predetermined sequential order, such that said contact blade moves in saidpredetermined path between said open and closed positions.

6. In an electrical switch as set forth in claim 5, said cam surface configuration intermediate said first and second ends including at least one region for simultaneously establishing movement of said contact blade in said first and second angular directions.

7. In an electrical switch as set forth in claim 5, said cam surface configuration intermediate said first and second ends including a first region for predetermined movement of said contact blade in said second angular direction, such that its contact end is vertically elevated about said horizontal axis, a second region for predetermined movement of said contact blade in said first angular direction, such that it's contact end is moved within a horizontal plane about said vertical axis, a third region for predetermined compound angular movement of said contact blade simultaneously about said horizontal and vertical axes, such that the longitudinal axis of said contact blade extends in a generally vertically upward direction from its support end, and a fourth region for predetermined movement of said contact blade in said second angular direction, such that its contact end is moved about said horizontal axis into engage-ment with said jaw contact.

8. In an electrical switch as set forth in claim 7, further including a fifth region wherein the longitudinal axis of said contact blade is in alignment with said vertical axis, and the contact blade is moved in said first angular direction for rotation of said contact means within said jaw contact.

' 9. In an electrical switch as set forth in claim 8, said contact means including a beaver tail contact have a first dimension along a first direction thereof, and a second dimension along a second direction thereof, said second dimension "greater than said first dimension, said jaw contact resiliently formed and having an opening, when 'in the relaxed condition, intermediate said first and second dimensions, said beaver tail contact entering said jaw opening along said first direction, with the subsequent rotation of said contact blade turning said beaver tail such that said jaw opening is forced open to accommodate said second dimensions, whereby firm electrical engagement is maintained between said contact blade and said jaw contact. 7

10. In an electrical switch as set forth in claim 4, said cam means including a cam surface in engagement with a cam follower means of said gearing means including a drive gear, keyed to a force input shaft for rotation about said vertical axis, a driven gear supported in a gear housing for rotation about said horizontal axis, said drive gear in meshed engagement with said driven gear, said cam means mounted within said gear housing, with said cam surface located about said vertical axis, and said cam means prevented from movement about said vertical axis, said cam follower means secured to said driven gear, and positioned to ride along said cam'surface, said gear housing mounted for rotation about said vertical axis in accordance with the predetermined movement of said cam follower along said cam surface, said predetermined movement including rotation of said driven gear about said horizontal axis to provide said second angular movement and the revolving of said driven gear and gear housing about said vertical axes to provide said first angular movement.

11. In combination an electrically energizable disconnection switch and a grounding switch, said grounding switch positioned adjacent said disconnect switch, said grounding switch including an elongated contact blade pivotally supported for compound angular movement in at least two directions to switch-closing and switch-opening positions respectively, contact means at the opposite end of said contact blade, a jaw contact positioned for cooperative engagement with said contact means when said contact blade is in said switch-closed position, said contact blade contained within a substantially vertically extending plane in said open position, with the longitudinal axis of said contact blade horizontally extending in said vertical plane, said jaw contact vertically displaced from said one end of said contact blade, said contact blade substantially contained within said vertical plane in said closed position, with the longitudinal axis of said contact blade vertically extending in said vertical plane, blade operating means operatively connected to said one end of said contact blade for moving said contact blade in a predetermined path between said open and closed positions, said predetermined path maintaining a minimum gap clearance between the contact end of said contact blade and the nearest energized component of said disconnect switch when moving between said opened and closed positions, said blade operating means including means for moving said cont-act blade about a vertically extending axis to define movement in a first angular direction and for moving said contact blade about a horizontal axis to define movement in a second angular direction.

12. The combination as set fort-h in claim 11, wherein the predetermined path traversed by said contact end defined by-the intersection of first and second spheres, said first sphere having a center at the contact blade support and a radius equal to the blade length, and said second sphere having a center at the nearest energized component and a radius equal to said minimum gap clearance. I

13. The combination as set forth in claim 11, said blade operating means including motion coordinating means for coordinating the movement of said contact blade opposite end horizontally out of said vertical plane, and vertically into engagement with said jaw contact, said blade operating means including gearing means for transmitting motive force to said contact blade, said motion coordinating means including cam means in engagement with said gear means, said cam means having a predetermined configuration for resolving the motive force of said gearing means into first and second components, said first and second components providing the movement of said contact blade in said first and second angular directions respectively, such that said contact blade follows said predetermined path.

14. The combination as set forth in claim 13, said cam means including a cam surface in engagement with a cam follower means of said gearing means, said gearing means including a drive gear keyed to a force input shaft for rotation about said vertical axis, a driven gear supported in a gear housing for rotation about said horizontal axis, said drive gear in meshed engagement with said driven gear, said cam means mounted within said gear housing, with said cam surface located about said vertical axis, and said cam means prevented from movement about said vertical axis, said cam follower means secured to said driven gear, and positioned to ride along said cam surface, said gear housing mounted for rotation about said vertical axis in accordance with the predetermined movement of said cam follower along said cam surface, said predetermined movement including rotation of said driven gear about said horizontal axis to provide said second angular movement and the revolving of said driven gear and gear housing about said vertical axis to provide said first angular movement, said cam surface configuration intermediate said first and second ends including a first region for predetermined movement of said contact blade in said second angular direction, such that its contact end is vertically elevated about said horizontal axis, a second region for predetermined movement of said contact blade in said first angular direction, such that its contact end is moved within a horizontal plane about said vertical axis, a third region for predetermined compound angular movement of said contact blade simultaneously about said horizontal and vertical axes, such that the longitudinal axis of said contact blade extends in a generally vertically upward direction from its support end, and a fourth region for predetermined movement of said contact blade in said second angular direction, such that its contact end is moved about said horizontal axis into engagement with said jaw contact.

15. A switch assembly, comprising in combination, first and second longitudinally displaced support structures vertically extending upward from a ground plane, first and second insulator stacks secured to the upper ends of respective ones of said support structures and vertically extending upwardly therefrom, contact jaw means positioned at the upper end of said first insulator stack, a disconnect switch having a contact blade pivotally supported at the upper end. of said second insulator stack, said disconnect switch contact arm movable into and out of engagement with said contact jaw means, a grounding switch having an elongated contact blade pivotally sup ported at the upper end of said second support structure for movement into switch closed and switch open positions, with said engagement of said grounding switch being sequentially related to follow the disengagement of said disconnect switch, the longitudinal axis of said grounding switch contact blade horizontally extending towards said second support structure in said open position, and vertically extending towards said upper end of said second insulator stack in said closed position, grounding switch blade operating means operatively connected to said one end of said contact blade for moving said contact blade in a predetermined path between said open and closed positions, said predetermined path maintaining a minimum gap clearance between the contact end of said grounding switch contact blade and the nearest energized component of said disconnect switch when moving between said opened and closed positions, said blade operating means including means for moving said contact blade about the vertical axis of said second support struc-' ture, to define movement in a first angular direction, and for moving said contact blade about a horizontal axis extending intermediate the upper ends of said first and second support structures to define movement in a second angular direction.

16. A switch assembly combination as set forth in claim 15, the predetermined path traversed by said contact end defined by the intersection of first and second spheres, said first sphere having a center at the upper end of said second support structure and a radius equal to the grounding switch blade length, and said. second sphere having a center at the nearest energized component and a radius equal to said minimum gap clearance.

17. A switch assembly combination as setforth in claim 15, said blade operating means including motion coordinating means for coordinating the movement .of said contact blade opposite end horizontally out of said vertical plane, and vertically into engagement with said jaw contact, said blade operating means including gearing means for transmitting motive force to said contact blade, said motion coordinating means including cam means, in engagement with said gear means, said cam means having a predetermined configuration for resolving the motive force of said gearing means into first and second components, said first and second components providing the movement of said contact blade in said first and second angular directions respectively, such that said. contact blade follows said predetermined path. 18. A switch assembly combination as set. forth in claim 17, said cam means including a cam surface in engagement with a cam follower means of said gearing means, said gearing means including a drive gear, keyed to a force input shaft for rotation about said vertical axis, a driven gear supported in a gear housing for rotation about said horizontal axis, said drive gear in meshed engagement with said driven gear, said cam means mounted within said gear housing, with said cam surface located about said vertical axis, and said cam means prevented from movement about said vertical axis, said cam follower means secured to said driven gear, and, positioned to ride along said cam surface, said gear housing mounted for rotation about said vertical axis in accordance with the predetermined movement of said cam follower along said cam surface, said predetermined movement including rotation of said driven gear about said horizontal axis to provide said second angular movement and the revolving of said driven gear and gear housing about said vertical axis to provide said, first angular movement, said cam surface configuration intermediate said first and second ends including a first region-for predetermined movement of said contact blade in said second angular direction such that its contact end is vertically elevated about said horizontal axis, a second region for predetermined movement of said contact blade in said first angular direction, such that its contact end is moved Within a horizontal plane about said vertical axis, a third region for predetermined compound angular movement of said contact blade simultaneously about said horizontal and vertical axes, such that the longitudinal axis of said contact blade extends in a generally vertically upward direction from its support end, a fourth region for predetermined movement of said contact blade in said second angular direction, such that its contact end is moved about said horizontal axis into engagement with said jaw contact, with the contact end of said ground switch blade maintaining said minimum gap clearance during such movement.

No references cited.

ROBERT K. SCHAEFER, Primary Examiner.

H, HOHAUSER, Assistant Examiner,

UNITED STATES PATENT OFFICE CERTIFICATE OF CORRECTION Patent No. 3,288,955 November 29, 1966 Joseph A. Turgeon It is hereby certified that error appears in the above numbered patent requiring correction and that the said Letters Patent should read as corrected below.

Column 1, line 22, for "G. B. Herberlein" read G. E. Heberlein line 31, for "ampheres" read amperes line 58, for "consideerd" read considered line 59, for "posiiton" read position line 62, for "terferring" read terfering Signed and sealed this 7th day of November 1967.

(SEAL) Attest:

Edward M. Fletcher, Jr. EDWARD J. BRENNER Attesting Officer Commissioner of Patents 

1. IN AN ELECTRICAL SWITCH, AN ELONGATED CONTACT BLADE PIVOTALLY SUPPORTED AT ONE END FOR COMPOUND ANGULAR MOVEMENT IN AT LEAST TWO DIRECTIONS TO SWITCH-CLOSING AND SWITCH-OPENING POSITIONS RESPECTIVELY; CONTACT MEANS AT THE OPPOSITE END OF SAID CONTACT BLADE; A JAW CONTACT POSITIONED FOR COOPERATIVE ENGAGEMENT WITH SAID CONTACT MEANS WHEN SAID CONTACT BLADE IS IN SAID SWITCH-CLOSED POSITION; SAID CONTACT BLADE CONTAINED WITHIN A SUBSTANTIALLY VERTICALLY EXTENDING PLANE IN SAID OPEN POSITION, WITH THE LONGITUDINAL AXIS OF SAID CONTACT BLADE HORIZONTALLY EXTENDING IN SAID VERTICAL PLANE, SAID JAW CONTACT VERTICALLY DISPLACED FROM SAID ONE END OF SAID CONTACT BLADE, SAID ELONGATED BLADE SUBSTANTIALLY CONTAINED WITHIN SAID VERTICAL PLANE IN SAID CLOSED POSITION, WITH THE LONGITUDINAL AXIS OF SAID CONTACT BLADE VERTICALLY EXTENDING IN SAID VERTICAL PLANE, BLADE OPERATING MEANS OPERATIVELY CONNECTED TO SAID ONE END OF SAID ELONGATED CONTACT BLADE FOR MOVING 